Virginia voters approved a congressional redistricting measure on Tuesday that could help Democrats gain four additional House seats, potentially shifting the balance of power in the narrowly divided chamber. The referendum passed by a narrow margin of about 52% to 47%, according to a survey by George Mason University's Schar School and the Washington Post. With 97% of the vote in, NBC News reported that the 'yes' vote held a narrow lead of 3 percentage points. The measure was endorsed by Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger, who called it a temporary pushback against Republican efforts to lock in power. Spanberger said at a press conference that Virginia voters refused to let the state go along with demands for more Republican seats without voter input and responded at the ballot box. She also expressed commitment to returning to bipartisan redistricting after the 2030 census.
The Virginia vote is part of a nationwide redistricting arms race that began last year when President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw their map, according to multiple reports. Democrats have now won statewide votes in California and Virginia to redraw congressional maps as part of this mid-decade effort. California voters approved a similar redistricting effort last November. Former President Barack Obama supported the Virginia measure, calling for a 'yes' vote, and sources close to Obama said he changed his stance on redistricting due to Trump's actions. Supporters of the measure flooded the zone with early ads, putting Obama front and center. After Republicans enacted new maps last year in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina, Virginia offered a rare, seat-rich prize for Democrats, who currently hold six of Virginia's 11 House seats. Democrats' proposed map is designed to leave just one solidly Republican district out of 11 in the state.
Steve Bannon criticized the Virginia redistricting outcome and conservative complacency.
The constitutional amendment on the Virginia ballot Tuesday required passage in two different legislative sessions with a general election in between before going to voters for approval, unlike in some states where regular legislation can change maps. The measure's approval marks a significant victory for Democrats as they seek to gain control of the narrowly divided House this fall, according to research. Virginia Democratic state House Speaker Don Scott said at a press conference that Virginia changed the trajectory of the 2026 midterms and leveled the playing field for the entire country at a moment when Trump and his allies are trying to lock in power before voters have a say.
The Virginia state Supreme Court is reviewing the legality of the redistricting plan, according to multiple reports. The court's decision could affect whether the new map takes effect as planned. The final certified margin of the referendum remains unknown, as does the exact number of additional House seats Democrats will ultimately gain from the new map. The specific changes to district boundaries have not been fully detailed.
Republicans believe they can win up to nine more House seats in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio, while Democrats think they can win up to five more seats in California and one in Utah. The overall impact on House control may end up being close to a wash, according to research. Republicans had hoped to insulate their three-seat House majority, but the Virginia result could offset gains elsewhere. Trump claimed the Virginia election was rigged without evidence, according to a social media post. According to The Independent - Main, Steve Bannon criticized the Virginia redistricting outcome and conservative complacency.